The Baptists in Sweden. By Mrs. M.F. Anderson ...

22 THE BAPTISTS IN SWEDEN.
Bishop of Strengness, the Bishop of Scara, Senators, noblemen and citizens, were led out as felons and traitors to the scaffold. Their bodies,
to the number of ninety-four, were heaped around
the scaffold, and the place of execution was overflowed with their blood. This gross outrage has
left an indelible mark upon the hearts of the Swedish people. It was one of the prominent means by
which the doom of the Papacy was sealed in that
kingdom.
In the following year-1521-Gustavus Wasa,
whose father, Eric Wasa, was among the number
of the slain, raised the standard of revolution in
Dalecarlia. It was a struggle both against the
Dani'jh King and the Romish prelate. Certain it
is, that political considerations alone would amply
have justified him, in the day of his triumph, in
rooting out the power of the Papal hierarchy. His
triumph, after a brief but severe contest, was the
end of the Danish dominion and of the Papal
supremacy in Sweden. The power of the priesthood was steadily, systematically weakened. Gustavus Wasa was resolved that the power of the
priest should no longer come into conflict with the
interests of the King. Several letters passed between him and Pope Adrian VI., who had succeeded to Leo X. The King assures the Pope
that he was ready to respect all the privileges of
the church, "if only the Apostolic See would appoint such bishops as were content with their limits